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What are visa and residence permit requirements for international students?

Citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) need only valid travel documents, i.e. passports or identity cards to come to Latvia.

Non-EU nationals have to check if they need a visa to enter Latvia. The list of countries whose citizens do not need visas is available here.

If students from outside EU come for a longer period than one semester (5 months), they must apply for a residence permit in a Latvian Embassy abroad. Please note that it may take up to several weeks (months) to obtain a visa or a residence permit. Therefore, application procedures should be started as early as possible.

Please contact International Office at internationa@va.lv if you have any questions regarding immigration procedures.

How to apply for one of the degree programmes at ViA?

You can view application information under each degree programme within the website. This is where you'll also find information about tuition fees and expenses as well as an application form.

Are there any exchange programmes available for full-time degree students?

Our current exchange projects concentrate on Bachelor level studies and we haven't developed exchange partnerships for our degree programmes. If you want to study on one of our Master's or PhD programmes, you will only be eligible if you commit to studying at ViA for the full length of your study programme.

What are the application fees?

Application Fees 2019/2020

Application fee (non-refundable) must be paid before the application is submitted (confirmation of payment must be included in the application):

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Exchange students

How to apply for exchange studies?

To apply for exchange studies at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, a student must fill in an online application form and attach the learning agreement listing the chosen courses from Courses for Exchange Students, ECTS and endorsed by the signature and stamp of home institution). In the new Erasmus+ programme, scanned learning agreement forms are officially recognised and can be circulated instead of original forms.

The application deadline for exchange (Erasmus+, Nordplus, other) or visiting students for autumn semester is May 1; for spring semester October 15.

If you have any questions about filling in the application form or preparing your learning agreement, please contact International Office at international@va.lv

What are language requirements to study at ViA?

Exchange students must have a good command of English or Latvian in order to study in Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences: they must be able to follow lectures, communicate and write papers in one of these languages. Additional formal language certification may be required in certain circumstances during the application process.

What are visa and residence permit requirements for exchange students?

Citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) need only valid travel documents, i.e. passports or identity cards to come to Latvia.

Non-EU nationals have to check if they need a visa to enter Latvia. The list of countries whose citizens do not need visas is available here.

If students from outside EU come for a longer period than one semester (5 months), they must apply for a residence permit in a Latvian Embassy abroad. Please note that it may take up to several weeks (months) to obtain a visa or a residence permit. Therefore, application procedures should be started as early as possible.

Please contact International Office at internationa@va.lv if you have any questions regarding immigration procedures.

Do I need health insurance?

EU/ EEA citizens should obtain the European Health Card before coming to Latvia. However, this card will only provide emergency help and other medical care on the same terms as for local citizens.

Students from other countries should obtain a valid health insurance policy before they come to Latvia or once they arrive. In case you need a medical service, you will have to pay for it yourself, but you will get these expenses reimbursed from your insurance company. It is your own responsibility to make insurance arrangements for any accident, illness or injury during the study period in Latvia.

How to get to Valmiera?

You can come to Latvia by plane, train, bus or ferry. In most cases, the first destination in Latvia will be its capital city Riga. The most convenient way of arriving in Latvia is by plane to Riga International Airport (RIX).

The national airline airBaltic and other airlines offer direct flights from many cities in Europe to Riga. You can come to Latvia also by bus to Riga International Bus Terminal or train to Central Train Station. For more detailed information on air traffic and schedules, see here.

The airport is located in Riga and it is a short ride to the centre by taxi, bus or shuttle. By public transport Bus No.22, direct from airport (in Latvian – stop Lidosta) to Riga centre (stop Stockmann centrs or Central tirgus). Frequency 10 - 30 minutes, journey time about 30 minutes

By bus to Valmiera

ViA is located in the cosy town of Valmiera which is 100 km from the capital city Riga. You have to use a bus in order to get from Riga to Valmiera. The trip from Riga to Valmiera takes approximately 2 - 2,5 hours. Once you arrive in the city centre by public bus or taxi from the airport, you have to go to the Central Bus Station and get a ticket for the closest bus to Valmiera (buses run from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. – approx. once every hour). For inter-city bus schedules, see here.

You have to inform the International Office and your mentor about your arrival at least one week before. Student mentors will meet you upon arrival in Valmiera and guide you to the student hostel. The university does not provide airport transfers.

When should I arrive?

You should arrive on the designated arrival dates (stated in your acceptance letter), two or three days before the orientation week. During the orientation week you will have time to get acquainted with the city and university before the start of your classes.

Will I have a mentor?

Mentors are Latvian students who want to spend time with international students, introduce international students with a lot of practical things connected to living in Valmiera and who are the best advisors for international students. Each international student has been assigned a student mentor who will get in touch before arrival. Do not hesitate to ask any questions you have to your student mentor by email before your arrival.

What should I bring?

To shortly summarize what you need to bring for your study period at ViA:

European Health Card or health insurance;

Passport or ID card;

Clothes and footwear for cold weather (like jacket, sweater, etc.);

Clothes and footwear for warm weather (starting from May/ June);

Laptop for study work (wireless internet is provided in all university buildings including student hostel);

Some special snacks from your country (for international night);

Individual belongings – phone, camera, personal hygiene items etc.

Are foreign students eligible for scholarships?

Exchange and visiting students can also apply for a Latvian Government Scolarship for a study or research period in Latvia. More information can be found here. You may also be eligible for state scholarships, you can read more within our Study Guide.

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Current students

What should I do if IT resources or services at ViA are not working?

All IT issues can be reported by emailing datori@va.lv with a detailed description of the problem, its location (building, room, hostel) and your contact information. If you cannot access your e-mails, you can contact the IT team by calling:

+371 64207230 (Cēsu street 4)

+371 26603322 (Cēsu street 4)

+371 25443379 (Tērbatas street 10).

What should I do if I can't access my e-mail?

Most probably your account is blocked, because it has been hacked and started to send out spam. Write to datori@va.lv from another e-mail address, giving your personal information so we can identify the account and reset your password.

When changing your password, please create these as complex as possible, using special symbols and numbers. Don’t use one password for multiple accounts.

What should I do if I don’t know how to use certain equipment?

Before turning to the IT, we suggest you ask your tutors, administration or other students for advice or explore attending IT courses to build on your knowledge.

Can the IT department set up a software on my computer?

No. The university doesn't install any software on its students or employees' personal computers. The only software that is available to all ViA students free of charge is MS Office365, you can apply for it here.

What should I do if I've lost my ID card or want to change a photo?

Send your information and the new photo (or arrange a photo being taken by the IT team) to datori@va.lv, and this will be created to you according to the costs outlined in the paid for services section.

What should I do if my stuff gets stolen?

ViA has security cameras in place, therefore we urge people not to take or move anything without a permission. If something has been stolen, we ask for a written complaint to be submitted. We will then give this information to police. If you've lost university equipment whilst rending it, you will also be responsible for the expenses this may incur.